September 7 - Embrace peace, Pope tells massive prayer vigil
 Article: One World Religion

Addressing myriad people in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis denounced war as a "defeat for humanity" and called on world leaders and individual Christians alike to rebuild a "shattered" harmony.

"Let us pray for reconciliation and peace," the Pope exhorted the crowds. "Let us work for reconciliation and peace, and let us all become, in every place, men and women of reconciliation and peace!"  Pope Francis and an estimated one hundred thousand people knelt in prayer together in St. Peter's Square Saturday evening, seeking peace throughout the globe and especially in Syria. The Vatican prayer vigil included hymns, scripture readings, and silent reflection as incense drifted into the night sky.

"Look upon your brother's sorrow and do not add to it. Stay your hand! Rebuild the harmony that has been shattered!"

Violence, he said, repeats the sin of the first murderer, Cain. "We bring about the rebirth of Cain in every act of violence and every war. All of us," Pope Francis declared. "Even today we continue this history of conflict between brothers. Even today we raise our hand against our brother."

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 September 6 - America's Bible Hypocrisy: Study Shows Disconnect Between Beliefs and Behavior
 Article: Miscellaneous

The American Bible Society's annual "State of the Bible" study shows most Americans believe society needs the Bible, but few are finding time to read it.  A majority of people in the United States believe the Bible contains the best advice for a meaningful life, but they also don't want to take it, and are too busy to read the scriptures.

According to the American Bible Society's "State of the Bible 2013" study, 66 percent of Americans agreed that "the Bible contains everything a person needs to know to live a meaningful life," while 58 percent say they don't want wisdom and advice from the Bible, and 57 percent say they read it fewer than five times per year.

"There is a difference between believing something is beneficial and opening up your heart, mind and life to let that beneficial thing in," Geof Morin, chief communications officer for the American Bible Society (ABS), wrote in a Thursday statement to The Christian Post. He explained that some people "view reading the Bible as taking your medicine," rather than a life-changing encounter with God.

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 September 10 - Recently Closed Conn. Episcopal Church Leased to Muslim Group as Part of Interfaith Partnership
 Article: Ecumenical Movement - Misc.

A recently closed church property belonging to the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut will soon be leased to a local Muslim group as part of an interfaith partnership.  The Diocese recently announced the creation of the partnership that provides the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center with facilities used by the former Christ Episcopal Church of Avon.

Dr. Khamis Abu-Hasaballah, president of the FVAMC, told The Christian Post that they are "thrilled" by the interfaith partnership and plan to move into the Avon property soon.

Earlier this year, the Connecticut Diocese looked into how to use the property while it was still in their control. Eventually, it was decided to lease the building to FVAMC as part of an interfaith partnership with the Connecticut Diocese.

In addition to the leasing of the Avon property there will also be interfaith educational events coordinated between the Diocese and FVAMC.  The Right Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Connecticut Diocese Bishop, told CP that this partnership had its roots in earlier dialogues.

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 September 10 - iPhone 5S Release Date, Price and Specs Announced by Apple, TouchID Fingerprint Sensor Confirmed
 Article: Miscellaneous

The iPhone 5S release date will be on Sept. 20, according to an announcement made by Apple today. The new smartphone will be available in three colors, gold, silver and black, and will cost $199 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 32GB. The iPhone 5S will come with a new A7 processor and will be the world's first true 64-bit smartphone. Apple stated that it is five times faster than its predecessor the iPhone 5, and will run the newly unveiled Infinity Blade 3 app with absolutely no lag.

The device will also feature the new M7 motion sensor chip which will be able to detect if the user is walking or driving and will work with apps related to the function being performed at a given time. The chip continuously measures motion data, comes equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope and compass, and will be useful for a new generation of health and fitness apps.

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 September 12 - WCC and Global Christian Forum seek Christian unity together
 Article: One World Religion

A World Council of Churches (WCC) seminar has marked the strengthening of relationships between the WCC and the Global Christian Forum (GCF), affirming their distinctive and complementary roles in the quest for Christian unity. Held on 11 September in Geneva, Switzerland, the seminar brought together representatives of the WCC and GCF, along with members of other international ecumenical organizations. The GCF now represents diverse churches and Christian organizations, promoting encounters among churches and traditions which previously have not been in conversation with each other.

Quoting Paul's letter to the Romans, Tveit stressed the need of "welcoming one another, appreciating one another and calling one another in Christian unity" despite differences in traditions and practices.

A WCC statement on unity, which will be presented at the assembly in Busan, observes that the "unity of the Church, the unity of the human community and the unity of the whole creation belong together."  Tveit added that "to seek Christian unity we have to recognize the importance of mutual accountability, which is the pulse of conciliar ecumenism. With this spirit, we can turn the challenges of division into opportunities and work together towards justice and peace."

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 September 11 - Drinking to the Gospel: Presbyterian Church in New Zealand Embraces Alcohol to Evangelize, Attract Members, Make Money
 Article: Emerging Church

With promotional events like "Wine and theology evenings" and "Beer and barbeque" church services, congregants of New Zealand's dying Presbyterian Church are now embracing alcohol as an evangelism tool to attract more members and increase their bottom line according to a new study coming out of that country.

Highlighting new research by religion expert, Dr. Geoff Troughton of Victoria University of Wellington, in a Medical Xpress report on Tuesday, revealed that the Presbyterian Church's anti-alcohol campaign had slacked off radically since the 1990s to shore up their bottom line and attract more people to the dying church.

"Some churches are now experimenting with using alcohol as an evangelization tool. Rather than seeing alcohol consumption as a marker of secular culture in need of change, it has become part of efforts to promote Christianity. 'Wine and theology' evenings and 'beer and barbeque' church services are among the methods being explored," said Troughton in the report.

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